Speculation is rife over where Spain midfielder Fabregas will ply his trade this season having been consistently linked with a return to boyhood club Barcelona.

Barca are desperate to bring the 24-year-old back to Camp Nou but are yet to meet Arsenal's £40million valuation.

Important

Brazilian Denilson, who is spending this season on loan with his hometown club Sao Paulo, believes Fabregas will still be a Gunners player when the new campaign gets underway.

He told Sky Sports News: "I think it's very important because the fans, the staff at Arsenal, everyone loves Cesc and I think he's going to stay."

Denilson, who joined Arsenal in 2006 from Sao Paulo, requested a loan return to the club this season in order to be near to his three-year old daughter.

But the 23-year-old admits he already misses Arsenal and hopes to be back in the squad this time next year.

"I miss London, I miss Arsenal," he added. "I lived there for five years, it's a long time for me. But I think next season I'll be back."

The midfielder feels much of Arsenal's appeal is down to manager Arsene Wenger.

The French tactician has come under fire after the Gunners failed to end their six-year trophy drought last season, but Denilson has jumped to his defence.

"Everyone knows Arsene Wenger is a top man and a top manager," he said.

"He's not just a coach, he's like a dad. It's brilliant for me and for the players because he's helped the players."

Criticism

Wenger has also attracted criticism for his lack of business in the transfer market in recent years, but Denilson insists Arsenal do not need to emulate the big-spending ways of their top-four rivals to contend for silverware.

"If you see Manchester, Chelsea buying many players, Manchester City as well, they pay much money for the players but Arsenal don't need that," he said.

"We just need to play to show. This season I'm sure 100 per cent they can win the trophies."